One day.......

Today in Chapel we were talking about acceptance. It turned out to be a slightly painful topic...but oh so encouraging. Acceptance is something that we all search and hunger for. But who are we seeking acceptance from? Honestly, I find myself choosing to labor for acceptance among men rather than resting in the acceptance of my God. Oh how often I find myself avoiding difficult things or confrontations in my search for acceptance among those that I live with and see on a daily basis. But I am constantly reminded now that I am in Christ. I am forever accepted because I am in Christ and HE is accepted. The Father is pleased with His Son. All the "watchers" don't matter in the least bit when I know that my acceptance lies in Christ.

I was talking to my a friend of mine today about all that we've been learning over the last few weeks. We both came to the conclusion that it's not the easiest thing to learn day after day about how completely worthless and inadequate we are. And yet it's the greatest thing in the world to know how worthless and helpless we are apart from Christ. All that we are that's worth anything in the scope of eternity is all because of Christ. With the great gifts that He has given us and continues to lavish on us daily, our hearts and minds should be continually on His face and overflowing with joy and gratefulness to Him. Key word there: should. Why is it that day in and day out we dig into the Word of Almighty God and discover truth after truth, gem after gem, gift after gift and we forget it in the matter of a few seconds. With all of this beauty before me, I am continually aware of the depravity of my own heart as my focus constantly wanders from the wonders that are being laid out in front of me. How is it even possible to give way to sin and darkness, choosing to take my eyes off the truth and light, even for the smallest amount of time? As I talked with my friend today, we found ourselves longing for heaven, where we will be with Christ, the struggle will be over, and we may rest in the purity, holiness, and righteousness of the Father. I came upstairs to work on my homework and the song "Arrived" by Enfield came up on my ipod. God's timing is perfect. My heart was encouraged. I immediately sent the lyrics to my friend in hopes of encouraging his heart as mine was and I'm going to post the words here now in hopes of encouraging anyone else.


"Arrived" by Enfield

Watching and waiting our whole life through
for the moment when we arrive in glory
We'll be standing before His emerald throne
O what a day it will be!
All tears are gone and sufferings cease
perfect new life with no earthly strife
For we've finished the race
run to His embrace
O what a day that will be!

When we've arrived, stunned and surprised
All things resolved in the blink of an eye
No more distractions, no sin left to fight
The first glimpse of Jesus and faith becomes sight

Feel the ground shake, hear thunder roar
see blinding light and seraphim fly
All amazed we will fall, yet the Father will call
"Stand, I have made you my own!"
A choir with angels, martyrs, and saints
singing His praise with no end to the day
shouting "holy, holy, holy" to Almighty God
O what a song that will be!

When we've arrived, stunned and surprised
All things resolved in the blink of an eye
No more distractions, no sin left to fight
The first glimpse of Jesus and faith becomes sight

"No more distractions, no sin left to fight
The first glimpse of Jesus and faith becomes sight"